Page 490 of 657

"Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon

the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in

their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client

is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of

reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting

down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert

Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of

Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess

sable. Born in 1846.' He's forty-one years of age, which is

mature for marriage. Was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a

late administration. The Duke, his father, was at one time

Secretary for Foreign Affairs. They inherit Plantagenet blood by

direct descent, and Tudor on the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is

nothing very instructive in all this. I think that I must turn to

you Watson, for something more solid."